Closed end film package



M. ROLAND ETAL CLOSED END FILM PACKAGE fweuroes: Max E04. 0N0 mwaaz. JSrenrra/v OA JQ w 4 firram/sys.

.of the band closure.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,308,936 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 3,308,936CLOSED END FILM PACKAGE Max Roland, Burlingame, Wendell J. Stratton,Glendale,

and Axel W. Stratton, Jr., Daly City, Calif., assignors to NebraskaPacking Co., Glendale, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb.27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,898 6 Claims. (Cl. 206-46) This invention relatesgenerally to closing of packages, and more particularly concernsimprovements having to do with preventing inadvertent release of packageclosures of the type used for holding a package wrap in gatheredcondition at an end of the package.

In the past, packages have been closed by collapsing bands about wrapsgathered at package ends. For example, so-called chub packaging involvesthe use of equipment operating to collapse a metallic band or clip abouta film wrap to block release of the pack contents, the latter typicallyconsisting of a flowable filler material such as sausage, dog food andthe like. However, the subsequent handling of packages of this typefrequently leads to inadvertent release of the contents, particularly atthe band closed end or ends. It is found that forces accompanying suchhandling tend to create internal pressures in the flowable filler, andthat these pressures can effect suflicient expansion of the collapsedband or clip at the package end to permit oozing of the filler andconsequent spoilage or necessary rejection of the pack. Thus,inadvertent dropping or other impacting of the pack can loosen the bandsuificiently to result in exposure or pressure release of the filler tothe exterior.

The present invention has as its main object the provision of animproved package characterized as having a wrap which is closed by aband or clip, and further characterized in that means is retained on andextends about the collapsed band to block expansion thereof in order toprevent exposure of the filler to the exterior, as for example bypressure release of the filler. To this end, a metallic capping meansmay be provided to fit over the band and at the same time confine thatportion of the Wrapper film protruding through the band. Further, thecapping means may be in the form of a metallic receptacle having a skirtdeformed into tight engagement with the metallic band to prevent bandexpansion in response to application of pressure generated within theflowable filler material and applied at the band. Additionally, thepackage -may be hermetically sealed by means of a sealant confinedwithin the capping means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a packagecharacterized in that the main extent of the film wrap is held intensioned condition at the periphery of the package by the same meansacting to block expansion Thus, the capping means may squeeze thewrapper between the band and the main extent of the package to furthergather the wrapper film and eliminate any undesired wrinkles or foldscreated or existing in the main extent of the wrap as an incident to theintroduction of filler into it.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a chub package of the improved typecharacterized by the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of an end portion of a chubpackage prior to complete assembly of the package components;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 showing the manner in which the packagecomponents may be assembled;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 but showing the package after assembly ofits components;

of the package components.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a modified form of thepackage assembly.

Referring to FIGS. l6, the elongated package 10 includes a wrapper 11covering the filler 12 which may typically but not necessarily comprisesausage, dog food or the like, any filler being contemplated so long asit is flowable in response to external force application to the package.The wrap 10 may typically comprise a shrinkable or non-shrinkableplastic film, and it is gathered at opposite end regions 13 of thepackage for closure by a band 14 collapsed about the terminal portion 15of the wrapper. Typical films include polypropylene and those having thetrade names Mylar and Saran. The band or clip 14 is preferably metallicand is collapsed sufiiciently to hold the gathered terminal portion 15of the Wrapper in tightly compressed condition, as best seen in FIGS. 5and 6. For this purpose, the band may have a C-shape with the terminals16 thereof collapsed closely toward one another. Other type bands arecontemplated, as for example metallic wire, and bands having circular ornoncircular shape, with or without overlapping ends. It is to be notedthat sufiicient internal pressure generated in the filler andtransmitted internally of the wrapper terminal portion 15 may effectexpansion of the C-shaped band or clip to permit oozing or other releaseof the filler unless band expansion is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, means is provided to be retained onand to extend about the collapsed band for blocking expansion thereof,in order to prevent exposure or release of the filler. One such means isshown in the drawings to comprise a metallic cap in the form of areceptacle 17 sized to receive the film terminal portion protruding at18 through the band 14. The receptacle has an inlet 19 into which thefilm terminal portion and the band are receivable, and it also has aclosed end 20 for completely confining the film terminal portion. Askirt 21 on the receptacle is seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 to be deformedinwardly into tight engagement with the band at the clamping locations22 spaced about the band. Such deformation of the skirt is preferablycarried out by dimpling the band at the locations 22 during assemblyThus, for example, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the receptacle is initiallysized to loosely receive the band as the receptacle is placed over theterminal protruding portion 18 of the film wrap. Thereafter, appropriatetooling shown at 23 squeezes the receptacle skirt 21 at the dimplelocations 22 to effect a tight clamping of the receptacle on the bandfor retention thereon to prevent band expansion. In this regard, thepermanent deformation of the receptacle at the dimple locations coldstrengthens the receptacle, which may for example be made of aluminum,so as the prevent band expansion.

Receptacle 17 is shown to have an end flange 24 which is turned in orderto present its convex side toward the gathered end portion 13 of thewrapper 11. As a result, the rim 25 of the flange does not come intotearing contact with the wrapper during asembly of the cap over theband.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a band capping means in the form of a receptacle26 is shown to be retained on the band 27 of the same type as previouslyindicated at 14, the receptacle 26 having a closed end 28 and a skirt29, these confining the protruding portion 30 of the package wrapper 31.The gathered end portion 32 thereof is squeezed inwardly by theoutwardly flanged annular end portion 33 of the receptacle 26, and inspaced relation to the band 27. In the absence of such squeezing, thewrapper end portion 32 would in general flare outwardly and loosely atthe broken line location 34, it being the dense to leave voids a'withinthe package.

purpose of the FIG. 7 form of the invention to maintain the main extentof the film 31 in tensioned condition at the periphery of the package,i.e., to eliminate wrap looseness or wrinkling. The latter may resultfrom the Wrapper filling process wherein fortexarnple thefiller may beheated sufliciently to result in the formation of steam or other gaspockets within the wrapper, and which con- As a result of end squeezingof the package in the manner-referred to above, the voids-may beeliminated and the film, as for example :Mylar, will be tensionedproperly, about the package. At the same time, of course, receptacle '26is retained .on the band 27 inthe same manner as described above inconnection with FIGS. 16, in order to prevent band expansion Comparisonof FIG. 5 with FIG. 6 shows that the band is further compressed aboutthe vWrap at 15 in respouse to clamping of the capping means 17 thereon,the band terminals 16 typically being closer together in FIG. 6 than inFIG. 5.

FIG. 4 also shows a sealant 36 as confined within the capping means tosealoff against the film terminal portion 18 protruding through theband. The sealant may for example comprise paraffin, wax, an elastomeror, an adhesive for hermetically sealing the package end, confinement ofthe sealant within the capping receptacle protecting it from injury ordestruction.

We claim:

1. An improved package, comprising a film wrap to contain'a filler, ametallic band collapsed about and holding the wrap at one end of thepackage in, gathered condition to block exposure of the filler totheexterior, ancla metallic receptacle, having an inwardly. deformedskirt tightly retained on and extending about the-collapsed band toblock expansion thereof in order to :preventsaid filler exposure, thereceptacle having afianged endfirmly engaging the film and interiorlyreceiving the band sufficiently as to effect film squeezing between theband and the main extent ofthe package thereby inwardly main-,

inwardly deformed skirt tightly retained on and extend ing about thecollapsed bandito block expansion thereof in responseto pressureexertedby the filler thereby :to prevent release of the filler throughthe gathered filmat the band, the receptacle having a 'fianged endfirmly engaging the film and interio'rly receiving the band suflicientlyas to effect film squeezing between the band and the main extent of thepackage thereby inwardly maintaining the main extent of the film intensioned condition at the periphery of said end of the package;

3. An improved package, comprising a flexible film having generallytubular form to contain a flowable filler, a metallic band collapsedabout and holding the film at an end of the package in gatheredcondition to block release of the filler, and a metallic receptaclehaving an inwardly deformed skirt tightly retained on and extendingabout the collapsed band to block expansion;

4. thereof in response to pressure exerted by the filler thereby toprevent release of the filler through the gathered film at the band, thereceptacle having a flanged end firmly engaging the film and interiorlyreceivingtthe band sufliciently as to effect film squeezing betweentheband and the main extentof the' package thereby inwardly main'tainingthe main extent ofthe film in tensioned condition at the periphery orsaid end of the package, the film terminal portion protruding throughthe band and'said receptacle confining said film terminal portion.

4. An improved package, comprising a flexible film having elongated"generally tu-bular form to contain a fiowable solid filler, a metallicband collapsed about and holding the film ateach end of the'package ingathered condition to block release of i the filler, and a metallicreceptacle having an inwardly deformed skirt tightly retained on andextending about the collapsed band at each end of the package; to blockband expansion-in response to pressure exerted by the filler thereby toprevent release of the filler throughthe gathered film atthe band, eachreceptacle having a flanged end firmly engaging the film and int'eriorlyreceiving the band sufficiently as to effect film squeezing between theband and the main extent of the package thereby inwardlyl maintainingthe mainextent of the film in tensioned condition at'the periphery ofsaid end of the package;

5.- An improved package, comprising a flexible film having elongatedgenerally tubular form to contain a flowabl solid filler, a metallicband collapsed about and holding the film at an end of the package ingathered condition to block release of the filler, and a metallic,receptacle retained on an *extending about the collapsed band to blockexpansion thereof in response tolpressure exerted by thezfiller therebyto prevent release of the filler through the gathered film at the band,the film terminal portion protruding through the band and being confinedwithin said receptacle, the receptacle having a skirt permanentlydeformed inwardly to clamp the :band at spaced locations thereabout, theband having been loosely received within the receptacle-upon initialassembly of the receptacle over the band, and sealant confined withinthe receptacle to stab off againstthe film terminal portion protrudingthrough the :band,one end of the receptacle being closed, the receptaclehaving outward flangingat its opposite end, said 'flan'geden'd firmlyengagingthe film so as to squeeze the film between the band and the mainextent: of the package thereby inwardly maintaining themainextent of thefilth in tensioned condition at the periphery of said end of thepackage} 6.: The package of claim 5 in which the band is generallyOshaped.

References Cited by theExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,988,058 l/l935Trailer 206-46 X 2,555,088 5/ 1951' Irwin 206-46 X 2,682,903 7/1954 Gay-3 2,781,900 2/1957 Snyder 20646 2,994,424 8/ 1961 Selby 206-46 LOUIS G.MANCENE, Pi'imdry Exan'iine'r.

1. AN IMPROVED PACKAGE, COMPRISING A FILM WRAP TO CONTAIN A FILLER, AMETALLIC BAND COLLAPSED ABOUT AND HOLDING THE WRAP AT ONE END OF THEPACKAGE IN GATHERED CONDITION TO BLOCK EXPOSURE OF THE FILLER TO THEEXTERIOR, AND A METALLIC RECEPTACLE HAVING AN INWARDLY DEFORMED SKIRTTIGHTLY RETAINED ON AND EXTENDING ABOUT THE COLLAPSED BAND TO BLOCKEXPANSION THEREOF IN ORDER TO PREVENT SAID FILLER EXPOSURE, THERECEPTACLE HAVING A FLANGED END FIRMLY ENGAGING THE FILM AND INTERIORLYRECEIVING THE BAND SUFFICIENTLY AS TO EFFECT FILM SQUEEZING BETWEEN THEBAND AND THE MAIN EXTENT OF THE PACKAGE THEREBY INWARDLY MAINTAINING THEMAIN EXTENT OF THE FILM IN TENSIONED CONDITION AT THE PERIPHERY OF SAIDEND OF THE PACKAGE.